Vehicle body



Aug. 4, 193 1.

J. L. BROWNELL 1,817,125

VEHICLE BODY Filed Jan. 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE n5 4, 1931- .1. BROWNELL 1,817,125

VEHICLE BODY Filed Jan. 17, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N V E N T 0R (fa/W85 A. POW/7// Patented Aug. 4, 1931 "UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. BBOWNELL, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CHECXER CAB MANU- FACTURING COEPCBSLTION, O11 KALAMIEZOO, TEECHIGAN, A 05 JERSEY Application filed January 17, 1930.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a vehicle body having a drivers seat section provided with a collapsible top or cover which may be quickly converted or changed from an open top to a closed top.

Second, to provide a vehicle body having a collapsible top section in which the collapsible top section when erected is neat and attractive in appearance and effectively supported.

Third, to provide a structure of this class in which the collapsible top section may be compactly collapsed and arranged and when collapsed does not disfigure the permanent or fixed top.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the descrip tion to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A. structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle embodying the features ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical longitudinal section with the collapsible top or cover in erected position. 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section with the collapsible'top or cover section in collapsed position.

Fig. 5 is a detail view on line 55 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the vehicle body generally and 2 the top thereof, thetop being provided with a suitable deck 3. This deck has an inner cross member 4 disposed in spaced relation to the front edge of the deck providing a forwardly and downwardly facing recess 5.

The windshield frame 6 is disposed in spaced relation to the forward end of the deck providing an opening above the front seat. This open section is provided with a flexible collapsible cover 7 which is secured at its rear edge as 8 at the forward end of the deck.

The cover 7 is provided with fastener memaround the collapsed cover supporting O EATEON OF NEXV VEHICLE BODY Serial No. 4521,3 10.

bers 9 adapted to be engaged with the studs 10 on the windshield frame. Cover supporting side bars 11 are provided, these also having fasteners 10 with which the edges of the cover may be engaged. These bars 11 are of channel cross section and have longitudi nal slots 12 extending from their rear en ls.

The bars are supported by links 13 pivoted at 14 to the cross member 4 of the deck and pivoted at 16 to the inside of the cover supporting bars 11. The slots 12 are in the plane of these links so that the links may swing through the slots to permit the collapsing of the links upon the cross members 4 of the deck and of the bars upon the links.

To support the bars in erected position their front ends are engaged with rearwardly projecting outwardly facing hooks 17 on the windshield frame, the bars being rigidly connected to the links after engagement with the hooks by means of the thumb screws 18 which are swiv led in the cross pieces 19 on the bars. These screws are threaded into holes 2) in the links so that the bars are rigidly sup iorted in erected position, the links in effect becoming bar extensions when the bars are erected.

Buffers or cushions :21 are arranged between the frame ends of the bars and the windshield frame, the tightening of the screws acting to force tine ends of the bars against these cushions, thereby preventing rattling of the parts.

hen it is desired to collapse the cover, it is disengaged from the studs 10 on the bars 11 and the windshield frame, the screws 13 released and the bars and links colla' into the recess 5, the apron 22 hmre'ver a ing )reviously been released from its V porting studs :23 so that may be pan/ and the roll cover as shown in Fig. l and sin gaged with studs 21- provided therefor on the top 2.

WVith this arrangement of parts, the co";- lapsible cover may he quickly erected or collapsed and when erected the collapsible cover or top is held in such position that it presents a neat appearance as an extension of the permanent section and when collapsed does not mar the appearance of the permanent top.

I have illustrated anddescribed my improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to show various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate or which might be desirable in embodying my improvements to different types of vehicle bodies but it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody and adapt the v same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what 7 said cross member and pivotally connected to said bars in the plane of their said slots so that the links may be swung through the slots to collapse the'bars upon the links and into said forwardly facing recess of said .1 deck, screws swiveled on saidbars to engage said links when thebars are in erected posit1on 1n engagement with said hooks, cushion members arranged between the forward ends I of said bars and said windshield frame, a

: flexible cover secured at its rear edge to the provided with coacting detachably engageable fastener members.

2. The combination in a vehicle body, of a top deck having an inner cross ,member disposed in spaced relation to its front edge providing a forwardly facing recess, a wind shield framespaced from the top deck, rearwardly projecting outwardly facing hooks disposed at the ends of said windshield frame, channeled longitudinally slotted cover side bars, links pivotally mounted on said cross member and pi-votally connected to said bars in the plane of their said slots so that the links may be swung through the slots to collapse the bars upon the links and into said forwardly facing recess of said deck, screws swiveled on said bars to engage said links when the bars are in erected position in engagement with said hooks, and

a flexible cover secured at its rear edge to the front end of said deck, said windshield and the deck, cover side bars, links pivotally mounted in said recess to collapse therein and pivotally connected to said side bars intermediate their ends, said side bars being slotted to receive said links, means for rigid- E ly securing said side bars to. saidlinks with the bars in'their extended position, side bar engaging members on said windshield frame, a flexible cover secured at its rear edge to the front en d of said deck, said windshield frame, cover bars and said covers having 'coacting detachable fasteners whereby the cover may be detachably secured thereto or collapsed and disposed in said recess, and an apron secured at one end within said recess and adapted to be passed around the collapsed cover bars and cover and detachably secured upon the forward edge of the deck. 1

4. The combination in a vehicle body, of a top deck, a windshield frame spaced from the forward edge of saidtop deck, hooks disposed the ends of said windshield frame,

channeled longitudinally slotted cover supporting bars, links pivotally mounted on said deck to collapse-thereon and pivotally connected to said bars in the plane of their said slots so that the links maybe swung through the slots to cl'ampthe bars upon the links, and screws 's'wiveled on said bars to engage said links when the bars-are in erected position in engagement with said hooks,

5. The combination in a vehicle body, of a top deck, a windshield fra'mes'paced from the forward edge of said top deck, hooks disposed at the ends of said windshield frame, channeled longitudinally slottedcover supporting bars, links pivotally mounted on said'deck to collapse thereon and piv'otally connected to said bars inthe plane of their said slots so that thelinks may be swung through the slotsto clamp the bars upon the links, and means for securing said links and bars-together when in erectediposition.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. r 7

JAMES L. BROWNELL. 

